The purpose of the 457 visa, or work Permit is to allow an overseas worker
to work for a business in Australia.   

The key step to undertaking this process, is for an overseas worker to first
obtain a genuine job offer in Australia.  Many people use recruitment websites like
My Careers on Google to research and apply for jobs in Australia.

A 457 visa can be approved for a period of 3 months up to 4 years. 

There are 3 basic stages in this application process:-

1.   The hiring business must be approved by the Department of
Immigration as a Business sponsor.  The business can be an Australian
business or a foreign business.  This is done by lodging a Business
sponsorship application.

2.  The business must also nominate an employment position
within its business that needs to be filled.  They do this by lodging
a Nomination application.

3.  The overseas worker must lodge a visa application, and satisfy
health and character requirements.  The overseas worker can include
their spouse and any dependant children in their application, who
will have work and study rights under the 457 visa.

All 3 applications can be prepared and lodged simutaneously
with the Department of Immigration.

When the Department of Immigration assesses a 457 application
it is needs to be satisfied that:-

1.  The business sponsor is a lawful and actively trading business
of good standing, and there will be a benefit to Australia that will result
from the employmentof the overseas worker.

2. The overseas worked is directly employed by the business.

2.  The business sponsor must also agree to abide by a number of
sponsorship undertakings, and the Department of Immigration may
check the business sponsor record of compliance if in the past it has
been an approved business sponsor and employed other overseas workers.

3.   The occupation that is being nominated is on the list of occupations
approved by the Department of Immigration, which are viewed as highly
skilled occupations.

4.  The overseas worker has the minimum skill level necessary to fill the
nominated occupation in the business. 

5.  That the salary offered (not including any bonuses, allowances of
superannuation) meets the minimum salary level requirements.

The minimum salary level, based on a 38 hour week, is currently set at:

• $59,480 for Information and Communication Technology occupations
• $43,440 for all other occupations

Once the 457 visa has been approved, the new visa holder is able to work
in Australia for the business sponsor for the duration that the visa was
granted. 

For many 457 visa holders in Australia, this visa can offer a pathway to
permanent residency for those wanting to remain in Australia after their
employment contract are completed with their business sponsor.

1. Employer Nominated Scheme Visa;

2.  Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa